Poker Night at the Inventory

Overview

Poker Night at the Inventory is a 2010 PC crossover poker game developed and released by Telltale Games. While the game is, simply, just Texas Hold 'Em, the real experience is the game's offbeat character cast; comprised of Max (Sam and Max), Strong Bad (Homestar Runner), Heavy Weapons Guy (Team Fortress 2), and Tycho Brahe (Penny Arcade).

Poker Night takes place at The Inventory, a secret club for video game characters located under a former game factory. Small nods to past titles can be seen, including a few smaller cameos. Slow, blues-style covers of notable tracks from the character's games also play in the background. Additionally, players who own a copy of Team Fortress 2 were given special items for playing and pre-ordering the game.

Following the closure of Telltale on November 2018, the game was delisted.

Gameplay

In Poker Night, the player competes against the aforementioned characters in an underground Texas Hold 'Em tournament. The objective is to knockout each character to win a total sum of $50,000 ($10k each) and, if given, the character's buy-in; which can then be used in Team Fortress 2 if won. If a player loses, they have the option to continue watching the game being played by the AI. A player's total winnings has no inherent use, though it does cause a player's 'poker name' to change. Additionally, the game offers a tutorial and a list of winning hands for those new to the game.

The game uses Telltale's dynamic dialogue system to create a lively and colorful round of poker. Characters make references to their respective franchises and converse with each other; as well as comment on the player's actions (or lack of). The scripts for each character were written by Telltale with their creators working closely to keep the dialogue authentic and true to the character.

As well as the Team Fortress 2 items, players also can unlock new card decks and tables; some having special, but entirely cosmetic, abilities.

Background

Development

The game was first pitched to the development team by Telllale CEO Dan Conners. Afterwords, the license holders/creators were contacted. All loving the idea, Telltale found themselves with the challenge of “not [ruining] four other people's very personal creations”. The developers worked very closely with the creators to make sure the characters were true to the source material. The game had a very small development team; at one point peaking seven in total. Jokingly, the developers stated that there were more lawyers involved than the those working on the actual project.

The script, written by Telltale’s Sean Vanaman, is based on the character’s established personalities. Each creator was key to making sure the dialogue for each character, as well as the in-between conversations and relationships, were not only authentic but didn’t sound forced. Homestar Runner co-creator Matt Chapman, who voices Strong Bad, would not only read his lines but also drastically rephrase them during recording; which was also something he did for Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People. Additionally, Vanaham had back-and-forth vocal, and written, discussions with Penny Arcade co-creator Jerry Holkins on the personality and dialogue of his alter ego, Tycho.

Marketing

The game was announced on September 3, 2010 with a teaser trailer that simply stated "bet you never thought these guys would get together" along with the silhouettes of each character.

Two months later, more information was released regarding the Team Fortress 2 unlockables. As a pre-order bonus, those with Team Fortress 2 received the Dealer's Visor for the Heavy. This was the second time Telltale offered items for Team Fortress 2, the previous being for Sam and Max: The Devil's Playhouse.

Characters

The Host

• Reginald Van Winslow
  Voiced by: Roger Jackson
  

  "Oh, hello there! Another enthusiast, I presume?"
  -Reginald Van Winslow

  Reginald Van Winslow, from the Tales of Monkey Island franchise, is the former captain of the Screaming Narwhal. Later, he joins Guybrush Threepwood's crew, which he remained a loyal first mate.
  Reginald works as a host for The Inventory, including the actual poker game: narrating the wins & loses of the characters and increasing the blinds after each round. Despite some claims, he is not the dealer. Additionally, while he doesn't own the place, he is knowledgeable of the club's history- which he is more than willing to educate the player on. Reginald is the only character, including smaller cameos, who appears almost completely different from his original design. Here, he is seen in a beret and a dinner jacket.

The Poker Players

Max Voiced by: William Casten

One of the main characters from Sam and Max, Telltale's flagship adventure game franchise based on the comic book series by Steve Purcell, who returns to write most of his dialogue. He is one half of the the game's Freelance Police duo and acts as a foil to his partner, Sam. He's trigger-happy, sociopathic, and even has psychic abilities (which he may, or may not, be using during the tournament).

In Poker Night, he seems to have a limited knowledge of Texas Hold 'Em; often asking the most basic of rules ("What do those numbers on the cards mean?"). Speculatively, he may have joined the tournament on an whim; a decision not out of his character. When chatting, he talks about his life as a freelance police officer and makes references to his past adventures. Additionally, when asked about his video game career, he switches off and on between being unaware that he is a video game character to breaking the fourth wall.

Max gets along well with everyone on the table, including the player, with even the Heavy considering him as a friend. When busted out, Max takes it pretty well; leaving with a smile as he goes off to wander around in the background.

When he doesn't have the cash, Max buys in with the License to Maim badge and the Lugermorph pistol.

Strong Bad Voiced by: Matt Chapman

Arguably, the most popular character from the Homestar Runner flash animations. The resident bully of Free Country, USA, and the leader of the vacant lot/country of Strong Badia. He spends his time hatching schemes, playing video games, reading e-mails, giving his co-stars a hard time, and being 'awesome'. His dialogue is also co-written by The Brothers Chaps, with Matt reprising his role.

Strong Bad appears in his usual egotistic form; bragging about his "luck" with women, his laughably outdated technology, and his poker abilities. He is most aware of his video game career, as well as his Internet fame. Also, he is more than willing to talk smack about Telltale Games: holding a grudge after the real life sub-par sales of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People.

Strong Bad absolutely hates Tycho, (with the feeling being mutual) referring him to a lifeless "dork" numerous times and claiming to be superior to him in all ways. (e.g: website hits, technology, ladies) Conversely, he gets along fairly well with the Heavy: being seen in his eyes as a "Tiny Heavy".

Strong Bad buys in with the Dangeresque, Too? shades when he doesn't have the cash.

Heavy Weapons Guy Voiced by: Gary Schwartz

The Heavy Weapons Guy is the chief defensive class of Team Fortress 2, Valve Software's popular multiplayer/FPS franchise. He is the unofficial mascot of the game's impossibly popular sequel, which his appearance is based on. Hailing from Russia, he has used his strength and knowledge in Heavy Weapons to become an irreplaceable asset to the RED Team.

The Heavy's motives for being in the tournament are unclear, but nonetheless he enjoys the game and talking about his many battles. He even delves into his school years and hobbies; though it should be noted that these stories and comments have been declared non-canon to the Team Fortress 2 universe, since the dialogue was mostly written by Telltale. He is also totally unaware that he is a video game character. When asked about the game and some of its gameplay, the Heavy is visibly confused or describes them as being dreams or lucky occurrences. He claims the RED Medic, Demoman, and Engineer are his friends, while the BLU Spy is the cause of every bad hand.

While he gets along fine with the other players, The Heavy doesn't trust Tycho, seeing him as a threat since he wears a blue sweatshirt.

The Iron Curtain minigun is bought in by the Heavy in when he doesn't have the cash.

Tycho Brahe Voiced by: Andrew Chaikin

Tycho Brahe is video and tabletop game enthusiast from the Penny Arcade webcomic. He is the foil to comic co-star Johnathan Gabriel and is also the alter-ego of the comic's co-creator Jerry Holkins. While Jerry himself doesn't voice the character, he worked with the writers to keep the character authentic.

While Tycho is the most well-spoken of the group he is also the crudest. His dialogue is laced with strong language, which can be censored, and at times he makes comments of a sexual nature. In some cases he delves into his fetishes (namely, bestiality, which is also an on-going joke in the comic), much to the shock and disgust of the other players. Despite this, he is very knowledgeable in not only gaming but also in literature, computers, history, and English. At times, he decides to fold or call by rolling a 20-sided die. Some of his dialogue hints that he is in the tournament in order to pay off some shady people.

Tycho appears to be the only one who knows where each character really came from, which leads to some awkward or eye-brow raising conversations (e.g., wincing awkwardly when Heavy claims he's immortal, rather than dying and respawning). He gets the most well with Max; sometimes even exchanging zombie survival tactics.

When strapped for cash, Tycho buys in with the Enthusiast's Timepiece watch.

Music

The soundtrack for the game, while not officially released, contains blues-style covers of songs from each character's universe-- except Tycho's. These can be accessed via the game's files, ripped using the Telltale Music Extractor.

Sam and Max

• The Office
• General Skun-ka'pe

Team Fortress 2

• Team Fortress 2 Theme
• "More Gun"

Homestar Runner

• Theme from "Dangeresque"
• "Trogdor" (It's worth noting that this isn't the actual Trogdor theme, although it does borrow from it a little.)

Tables

New table designs are unlocked as the player wins tournaments.

Decks

A new design of cards is unlocked at every three tournaments won.

Pre-Purchase Bonus and Unlockables

Pre-Purchase Bonus	Description
	Those who chose to pre-purchase the game on Steam received the "Dealer's Visor" hat for The Heavy in Team Fortress 2.

Poker Night also has 4 different unlockables that are also for use in Team Fortress 2. They are unlocked during "Item Rounds", when one of the characters hasn't got any cash on them and uses one of these as collateral. All items are cosmetic. They are:

Unlockables	Description	Introductory Dialogue
	The Iron Curtain for the Heavy.	Heavy: I am sorry. I do not have this money... I did, but Sasha has been very good lately, and I wanted to get her gifts. The money is gone. I have no choice... Max: Aw, you gotta play! Heavy: I have no choice but to buy in with Sasha, so I can keep honor. Max: It's... it's... beautiful! Heavy: I hope this is alright. Winslow: Ha, I see no problem with it. Whoever knocks him out will receive his buy-in.
	Max's Lugermorph for the Scout and Engineer. A Freelance Police "License to Maim" Badge from the Sam and Max games for any TF2 character.	Max: Would you settle for a travel pack of tissues and a half-eaten jar of maraschino cherries? Winslow: Mmmm, I do relish a good cherry. But I'm afraid there may be an issue of parity. Max: I don't have any pears, either. Oh! I've also got 38 to 40k in uncut diamonds. But how about my gun and badge? Y'know, you can't put a price on a License to Maim. Winslow: Very well! The player to eliminate Max from the game will receive a pistol and a freelance police badge.
	Tycho's watch, The Enthusiast's Timepiece, for the Spy.	Tycho: Well this is embarrassing. I generally walk around with large bricks of money with which to buy into backroom card games, but I'm a little light this evening. Anyway, I think this should even it up.
	Strong Bad's "Dangeresque, Too?" sunglasses for the Demoman.	Strong Bad: Oh...Uh...I couldn't fit my briefcase full of cash in these pants, on account on my ample hind bosom. But I DO have these cool-cool-fady-shady Dangeresque glasses! They're worth like five ten thousand dollars..es. So, we're good right? You guys bought that? Winslow: If nobody else has a problem with it, Strong Bad will be buying in with collateral. Whoever knocks him out will receive his buy-in.

Cameos

Following on the premise of introducing characters from other games featured as poker players, the game also features a handful of cameos from several characters from other games other than Poker Night at the Inventory, but mostly from the Sam & Max franchise.

Sam

Sam is the first character seen in the intro; he's seen standing on a far balcony, adjusting his tie and then leaving in a manner that very much resembles G-Man from the Half Life franchise.

Pom Pom

Pom Pom has a cameo in the beginning of the game, during the intro, where he can be seen leaving the gaming table the player is about to join; apparently he lost in a previous game.

Flint Paper

Flint Paper appears at the bar, right behind the table. His violent behavior, encounters, and philosophy is regularly referenced by Max.

Bluster Blaster

Bluster Blaster is the arcade machine, visible in the background, near the stairs.

Bluster Blaster is a sentient arcade machine and a former member of C.O.P.S., a bunch of obsolete machines that help Sam and Max by acting as navigators for them.

Trixie Trotter

From Telltale's Back To The Future episodic series, she is first seen in the intro cutscene, several months before the game was actually announced.

PC System Requirements